In solidarity with nationwide rallies in support of the Affordable Care Act, several organizations are coming together in Missoula this weekend to sponsor a Town Hall Meeting to save our healthcare. The event will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the Senior Center, 705 South Higgins.

In the face of GOP efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), roll back expanded Medicaid, and diminish access to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), citizens are gathering to get up-to-the minute information on policy proposals and challenges, and get involved in efforts to defend their health insurance.

Sponsored by Missoula Rises, March On, Montana (formerly, the Women’s March on Montana), Montana Women Vote, Planned Parenthood, the Democratic Socialists of America and Blue Mountain Clinic, the event will include both an educational and an organizational component.

To provide information about how alternative Administration proposals will affect Montanans, the event will include the following speakers: Denver Henderson, organizer for SEIU Local 755, Sarah Howell of Montana Women Vote, Anna Whiting Sorrell, Director of Operations, Policy and Planning at the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Health Department and Vicky Byrd, Executive Director of the Montana Nurses Association. The event will also include two speakers who will share their personal stories on the role that new access to health insurance has played in their lives.

Senator Tester is unable to join us, but will provide a written statement. Senator Daines has been invited.

The event will also provide ways for people to get involved in efforts to defend their access to health care. It will include tables for people to share their personal storieswith healthcare advocates, training and practice in mobilizing personal stories for policy change, space to call Montana’s Congressional Delegation and advocate for continued healthcare access. It will also provide written information about organizations and unions involved in health care and health care worker advocacy.

Montana citizens should always be thanked for their efforts in helping the healthcare industry of the community. We all know that there is still a problem on this matter, but there are still people who cannot understand the problem. That is why these Montana citizens knew that they need to stand up and fight for what is right. It was a good thing that they had a meeting. This makes me happy because we all know that this could be the possible way to address the problem.